Police to sack two officers involved in Rilwan's case

Professional Standards Command (PSC) of Maldives Police Service, on Sunday, decided to dismiss two officers who were accused of attempting to produce a passport and falsify proof that missing journalist Ahmed Rilwan had left the country.

Although the board made this decision, Mohamed Jinah and Ibrahim Riffath who worked in Police Intelligence, have yet to be officially fired from their posts.

According to the Police Act, discussions must be held with the Commissioner of Police (CP) before an employee is demoted or dismissed due to misconduct.

Police may only request Ministry of Home Affairs to take measures against such officers with the endorsement of the Commissioner.

Police spokesperson confirmed that an official announcement will be made following CP Mohamed Hameed's decision.

The conclusion by the board to sack the officers came three years after their suspension. However, local media reports that the board's decision was not made regarding the accusations against the officers over their alleged involvement in Rilwan's case.

The two officers were previously under investigation for accepting bribes from former Vice President Ahmed Adeeb.

During the board's investigation of the officers, the Presidential Commission on Investigation of Murders and Enforced Disappearances collected exchanges between the two officers in question.

Following Rilwan's disappearance, Ex-VP Adeeb took measures to alleviate the pressure on former President Yameen's administration by the public and international bodies over the authorities' incompetence in dealing with the case.

At the time, Adeeb kept tabs on communications between political figures regarding Rilwan, gatherings held by the victim's family and any relevant information, aided by some Police personnel.

In addition, Adeeb allegedly tasked Colonel Abdul Raoof of Maldives National Defence Force with acquiring a copy of Rilwan's passport. Raoof collected and presented information from two of Rilwan's passports to Adeeb, including the dates of Rilwan's last trip abroad, but failed to obtain a copy of the journalist's passport.

Rilwan last traveled to Bengalore and returned to Maldives on October 2, 2011. He did not travel overseas afterwards.